Zoning board denies demolition approval for Macon, Ga., church

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

MACON, Ga. - Macon's zoning commission has denied an application that would have allowed a historic downtown church to be demolished to make room for a doughnut shop.

The Telegraph reports that the commission voted 4-1 Monday against the plan involving Tremont Temple Baptist Church, which was built in 1897.

The congregation moved out of the building in 2007, saying problems with leaks, mold and termites had rendered it unusable for church services and too expensive to maintain. They've been planning to sell the building to a developer who has filed plans to build a Dunkin Donuts on the church property.

The Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission made it clear Monday that the church has 30 days to appeal the denial.

Church members declined comment as they left the meeting.